Architects for the Federated Cos. long-anticipated mixed-used development in Bayside presented a new design and new name to the planning board last night for it’s development of 3.24 acres of land in the Bayside section of the East End of Portland from its original proposal submitted last November.

Originally called Maritime Landing, the complex is now called “Midtown” and the number of towers originally proposed has been reduced from seven towers to four buildings making it more of a horizontal complex. The building redesign also preserves views from city hall and back cove. Because of the redesign of the buildings, the lead architects, Perkins Eastman, asked the planning board for altered height limits in one section. That consideration will require additional study from the board, while the architects said density of the complex is necessary to make it financially viable. “Rents in Portland are lower than elsewhere,” said Doug Smith, Perkins Eastman. “We need the additional height to 165 ft. because of the economics of the site,” said Sandy Silverman, Perkins Eastman.

Midtown will be built in at least two Phases which could prolong its construction over as much as eight years or so. This prompted the architects to ask for a Master Plan as part of the agreement which would basically grandfather current zoning restrictions; attorney and out-going board member David Silk questioned the wisdom of this since no other developer in the area has such an arrangement with the city.

“It’s nice to see that Portland is ready for this kind of building. You heard the issues and really moved quickly to address them… A Master Plan gives everyone a chance to come out well in this complex,” said vice chair Stuart O’Brien to the assembled architects before the 3 hour meeting adjourned.

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In the past Carol was disappointed with the lack of news coverage of this very dynamic community on the eastern end of Portland. That's how and why this blog came into being. The main goal was to recognize people on the Hill leading unique lives, start-up businesses in the area, and other subjects of interest to people on the Hill. While local coverage of the Hill has improved, there is still plenty to report on and Carol plans on doing that for a long time to come.